Friday Links: Tim Tebow Talks Georgia, Lions Pleased With Matthew Stafford

Tim Tebow says that after the Bulldogs danced in Florida's endzone in 2008, the Gators spent 365 days plotting their revenge.

The Lions may not be able to talk to their franchise quarterback, Matthew Stafford, but they did like what they heard about his performance at Georgia's spring game, where he threw for charity—completing a 50-yard bomb to a fan and looking crisp in the tire drill.

After Brad Biggs wrote the story regarding Mallett, NFL analyst, Todd McShay, stated that none of the NFL teams he's spoken to are worried about what Mallett did while at Arkansas because they feel pretty certain he isn't doing it now. 

Nick Saban clarifies his statements regarding Cam Newton and Auburn—come on Nick, stick to your guns, dude.

Speaking of Saban, doesn't he know two quarterback systems rarely work?

Arkansas fans thank Bobby Petrino for making the Hogs relevant in 2010.

Steve Spurrier is already leaving the door open to bring back embattled QB, Stephen Garcia—surprise, surprise.

Related articles

• Lions say Matthew Stafford's rehab is going well (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• Detroit Lions: Reports on Matthew Stafford's recovery look good (sports.espn.go.com)

NFL Draft 2011: Cam Newton Says Criticism of Him Is "Ammunition"

Cam Newton is still the topic of most conversations where the NFL Draft is concerned and, for good reason, people continue to wonder if can get it done at the next level. The same sorts of questions plagued one Tim Tebow who, against all odds, ended up being a first-round pick in 2010.

Cam Newton, if I may be so bold, is a better quarterback prospect—physically—than Tim Tebow was at this stage and, adding even more creme to the coffee, he has some nice intangibles that are hard to overlook when you are considering building a franchise—including confidence in himself and a fierce need to prove every single one of his doubters wrong.

That said, there is no reason, yet, to believe that Newton will be able to do that given the questions surrounding his ability to read defenses, take snaps from under center (consistently), and transition from the "simple" offense he ran at Auburn to the more complex one he will likely execute at the pro level.

Even still, he remains optimistic that he is much better than his critics keep telling us he is and, in the end, he will kill us all with his ability and success at the next level.

Check his one-on-one interview with John Gruden:



For the record, the last quarterback Jon Gruden selected in a draft was Josh Johnson—just saying—yet
he has given Newton his seal of approval saying, "I think Cam Newton's the best player in the country...I agree with the Heisman Trophy people that gave him the award. He's got everything I'm looking for.''

While there can be no denying Newton as one of the best players in this year's draft, does that necessarily mean he will be the best quarterback? Is he a better quarterback prospect than Blaine Gabbert or Ryan Mallett? At this point does he even have to be?

Mallett is still battling character questions after  admitting he used drugs while at Arkansas and, just this morning, skipped out on a meeting with the Carolina Panthers due to illness (illness that's rumored to be due to a hangover). Which, if that's true, he is looking a lot less like a pro prospect than a massive problem—a la Ryan Leaf.

As for Gabbert, well, he may have some believers still hanging onto his potential as a No. 1, but the his spotlight seems to fade with each new Cam Newton interview, article, or editorial. Gabbert just hasn't been able to maintain public attention he seemed to have coming up to the NFL Combine. 

While some have already stated that Gruden is not qualified to make an assessment of any potential prospect's talent at the next level, you still have to respect a guy who is better known for telling it like it is than blowing smoke up your rear, so Gruden just joins a few others in the NFL camp who feel that Newton is the real deal.

As for the rest, I suggest Newton keep that gun handy—I see plenty more "ammunition" headed your way.

Related articles

• Cam Newton: Further Exposed by Jon Gruden's Coach 'Em Up Segment (football.rawsignal.com)
• Dilfer calls Cam Newton no-brainer for Bills (football.rawsignal.com)
• Broncos take final look at Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)
• Jon Gruden gushes about Cam Newton (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

John Fox: What Moves Could The New Denver Coach Make Next?

The Denver Broncos have named John Fox as their next head coach.

Fox, who led the Carolina Panthers to one Super Bowl, and three playoff appearances, in nine seasons, has been rumored as the Bronco's choice for a while, but John Elway made the hire official today with this tweet,

Said Elway, "He is a dynamic and proven leader who will energize our entire organization".

Fox returns to coaching in the AFC for the first time in 16-years. His last stint was as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Raiders—now in Oakland.

He is expected to be an upgrade in both experience and leadership over the fired Josh McDaniels—whose personality and personnel decisions often left much to be desired—but is still a curious pick given his perceived lack of passion his last two seasons in Charlotte.

Will the support system in Denver be enough to get his competitive juices flowing again?

Whatever his mindset coming in, his next major task is filling out the offensive and defensive staff. No names have been seriously mentioned yet, but speculation has already begun on what type of offensive scheme Fox will bring (west coast) and whether or not Tim Tebow will be the guy executing it.

It's no secret that as nimble afoot as Tebow is, he still has a ways to go to become the type of quarterback who can confidently take snaps from under-center. That said, if he can continue to develop and make the proper tweaks to his game, he could become a decent candidate to run a west coast type offense—which centers around short passes, a strong rushing element, and the occasional big downfield play.

As for the defense, some are hoping that Fox can call upon his friend and former college teammate, Herman Edwards. Edwards is currently an analyst for ESPN, but has a reputation in the league as a good defensive coordinator.

One thing that is almost certain is the Bronco's 2011 draft pick will go towards upgrading their defense.

Assuming Nick Fairley declares himself draft eligible—which he almost certainly will—he could be the guy. If not him, Patrick Peterson (DB) of the LSU Tigers could be a possibility.

The Broncos stand to lose some talent at the secondary position in the near future as Champ Bailey enters the latter part of his career, and Perrish Cox's situation remains up in the air in light of his sexual assault charge.

Peterson could fit the bill as both a defender and special teams player as he is a very skilled return man as well.

Fox will have his hands full over the next few months as he evaluates exactly what he has in Denver, and what direction the team will go from this point forward.

NFL Swap: After Elway's Statements, What's Next For Tim Tebow In Denver?

John Elway is the new Vice President of Football Operations for the Denver Broncos. Translation: he has a say in what happens on the team—personnel wise—but he doesn't write the checks that make them happen.

So, when John Elway talks, the Denver players better be listening, and it looks like Tim Tebow's ears just started burning where his future as Denver's starting quarterback is concerned.

Elway, speaking to Sports Illustrated's Peter King, made it clear that Tebow is not the guy Denver needs at quarterback right now. Said Elway, "I don’t think Tim Tebow is a good quarterback at this level at this time..."

Could that statement mean Tebow is destined to move to another position in the very near future?

If so, would Tebow be willing to make a switch—to possibly fullback or tight end—now that he's had a taste of success at quarterback?

Does the very idea of Tebow playing elsewhere—be it position or team—mean there's still a chance for Orton in Denver?

Elway still holds a high-opinion of Tebow as a player, it's just not certain that he's willing to wait the 2-3 more seasons Tebow would need to become the player that leads Denver back to glory.

One thing is for sure, if Tebow stays in Denver, he won't have much room for error in 2011.

As for Elway, he's definitely placing his football smarts on the line early where personnel evaluation is concerned.

Tebow was drafted to be the future in Denver, and to hear Elway dismiss him as only average is a sure sign that the former legend isn't about to kowtow to the, possibly, future one.

Related articles

• Elway clarifies his comments on Tebow (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

NFL Trade Bait: Where Might Kyle Orton Land in 2011?

The Denver Broncos are ready to start the Tim Tebow era in Colorado, and that means they no longer have any use for Kyle Orton. Their price for the team that wants him, a second-round draft pick and that price seems steep when you consider the fact that Orton doesn't do any one thing great.

While he's an adept passer, he lacks any type of mobility in the pocket—so he's often at risk of being sacked...a lot.

He's got great instincts in the redzone, but he can be hit or miss outside the 20's.

His ability to find the open target, and hit him in stride is pretty good, but he's every bit as likely to play it safe and rely on making the short throws all game long. Which, after a while will be sniffed out by opposing defenses—allowing them to cheat up and break-up many a pass play.

Even with all that, though, his 2010 stats were still better than you might have guessed.

He ranked in the upper half of the league in nearly every conceivable passers category—including total yards (3,653), interceptions thrown (4), yards gained per attempt, quarterback rating (87.5), and completions. His problem this year was a lack of protection by the offensive line.

Orton routinely found himself running for his life—which isn't his strong suit—and that meant a lot of yards lost due to bad sacks, and an inability to get out of his own way.

If a team can give Orton a decent line and a more consistent running game, he can be a serviceable quarterback and there are plenty of teams out there that could use him as a good insurance policy against injury or as a possible stop-gap until a more favorable alternative can be acquired.

Tennessee, Arizona, Carolina, Washington, and Miami all come to mind as possibilities as each of them have issues at the quarterback position— all could do much worse than Orton.

Denver isn't likely to get their second-round asking price but, if they're willing to bend—perhaps a third-rounder will suffice—they should have no problem finding a new home for Orton.

Urban Meyer Resigns—Can We Believe Him This Time?

There are multiple reports that Urban Meyer will step down following the Florida Gators bowl game—a press conference is scheduled for later on this evening.

Does anyone else get the feeling that Meyer is just having another attack? Honestly, why bother stepping down now? The best time to have done so was last season, after his star quarterback graduated.

Now, once again, he looks suspect in doing so just as recruits are being contacted and, possibly, shored up—leaving his team and the Gators' football program in a lurch.

This, of course, assumes that he will actually follow through with his decision this time—forgive the skepticism, but I'll believe it when I see it.

That said, it's amazing what a mediocre season will do to a guy.

Urban probably isn't used to being questioned, doubted, criticized, or placed under the media microscope in a negative manner. He's been college football's golden boy for so long that the only spotlight he's used to having exists in the positive sphere.

Now, suddenly, people are saying he's lost his winning edge and is guilty of showing too much loyalty to his assistant coach (i.e. Steve Adazzio). Couple that with multiple losses to teams he's dominated (Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Florida State) and you have to wonder if he feels he's done all he can do at Florida.

Honestly, it was only a matter of time before Meyer's winning ways turned into rebuilding ones. You can't lose top-tier talent and assistant coaches each year and expect to maintain the same level of excellence. It's a ridiculous proposition to present to a guy—even Meyer.

On the flip side, another question does come to mind, is he simply tired of the college grind and ready to see what he can do at the next level. Could the NFL be calling? After all, there are plenty of teams that could use his talents and he won't have to look far to find one in particular—Denver.

Tim Tebow will likely be meeting a new quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator in the near future. Would Meyer be interested?

Whatever the case may be, Florida is once again looking for answers, and it will be very interesting to see who AD Jeremy Foley finds to fill this gigantic void.

That said, if this simply turns out to be another hoax, you can bet not many will find Meyer's indecision comical or professional—unless of course their name is Brett Favre. In which case, this is just the beginning of the rollercoaster ride.

Related articles

• Urban Meyer steps down as Florida Gators football coach (sportingnews.com)
• Urban Meyer stepping down at Florida Gators (sports.espn.go.com)
• Urban Meyer Resigns As Gators Head Coach (newyork.cbslocal.com)

Florida State Whups Up On Florida As N.C. State Coughs Up The Atlantic

Just one year removed from the changing of the guard in Tallahassee, the Jimbo Fisher era has begun with a trip to the ACC Championship game in December—after a little help from Maryland.

The Seminoles would have been plenty satisfied with a win over the Florida Gators. Urban Meyer has gotten the better of this series over the last six years—winning six-straight. So, there was plenty of motivation entering this game, even without knowing what was happening in College Park.

The game itself got off to an inauspicious start as Florida took the lead early on a 20-yard toss by John Brantley to Robert Clark—7-3 Gators. For at least a half-minute it seemed the Florida dominance would continue. However, what wasn't known was that this would be the last time Florida would sniff the end zone.

Florida State regrouped and started to remember that they were, at least today, the better team on the football field. They had no need to feel intimidated by this Tim Tebow-less team, with it's Charlie Strong-less defense, and it's total lack of consistency at quarterback—three guys, Urban, really?

The Seminoles went on to score 21-points in the second quarter and never looked back, winning the game 31-7, and reclaiming the state of Florida's swagger—at least for this year.

Even better, the epic collapse of the, Russell Wilson led, North Carolina State Wolfpack in their game against Maryland, assured the Noles' a spot in the ACC Championship Game.

It was a good night for Jimbo Fisher and his young football team. Somewhere you have to wonder if Bobby Bowden is smiling—just a thought.

Heisman Hopeful: Is The Cam Newton of 2010 Better Than The Tim Tebow of 2007?

Is Cam Newton better than Tim Tebow was in 2007—the year he won the Heisman Trophy?

It's an easy debate to get embroiled in lately as Cam Newton has set the SEC ablaze this season with both his arm and his legs. He's carried the Auburn Tigers to new heights in just his first year and the Heisman Trophy chatter that surrounds his name has gone from a dull whisper to an all-out roar.

Some feel that the honor is already Newton's to lose. It's much the same as when Tim Tebow won it in 2007 as a true sophomore. The numbers No. 15 put up in Gainesville that season didn't seem natural for any football player—regardless of the system. Tebow was a god in 2007 and there were few who believed that any player would come close to doing what he's done anytime soon.

Enter Cam Newton, who, through eight games already has more rushing yards, on less carries, and is a mere nine touchdowns away from matching Tebow's 23 rushing scores from that 2007 season.

That said, it seemed only fair to see just how closely these two players really are in what they were able to do in their respective seasons.

Rushing:

Cam Newton: 8 games, 157 carries, 1077 yards, and 14 touchdowns 

Tim Tebow: 13 games, 210 carries, 895 yards, and 23 touchdowns

A lot of Tebow's damage came on third downs. He wasn't a running back type player but, rather, a big hulking body who was capable of moving the pile on third-and-short, or picking up the first on a n 8-12 yard draw play.

Newton, by contrast, can flat-out run the ball. He's as dangerous with the ball in his hands as a running back as he is as a passer. He's got the size, the speed, and the elusiveness to break one at any time and that makes him hell to defend.

2010 Regular Season Projection: 236 carries for 1,616 yards, and 21 touchdowns.  

Passing:

Cam Newton: 90/138 for 1,364 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions (Pass Eff. Rating: 172.08)

Tim Tebow:  234/350 for 3,286 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions (Pass Eff.  Rating: 172.47)

Tim Tebow had guys like Louis Murphy, Percy Harvin, Cornelius Ingram, and Andre Caldwell at his disposal. Finding a legitimate target to get the ball to that season was not the problem. On the contrary, it was a bigger issue just keeping the many speedsters on the roster happy with the touches they were able to get.

Cam Newton has Darvin Adams (mainly) and then a conglomeration of guys who may or may not be considered as legitimate—Terrell Zachary has made a small contribution this season, but no one else has really stepped up. Acknowledging that point makes explaining the rushing yards Newton has amassed this season, much easier.

Even so, there is no denying the arm and accuracy of Tim Tebow during his time at Florida.

2010 Regular Season Projection:135/207 for 2,024 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions

Strength of Schedule:

In 2007, Florida had the toughest schedule in the SEC and finished the season 9-4:

Auburn, arguably, has the toughest schedule in the SEC this season and they are, currently, undefeated:

If the Tigers manage to finish the season without a loss, Newton will have navigated a slate that is every bit as challenging as what Tebow faced—except with less weapons to compliment his play.

Points Responsible For:

Cam Newton: 162 total points (through 8).

Tim Tebow: 330 total points.

There is no denying how important each player was/is to his team. During his sophomore year, Tebow was responsible, on average, for 25.38 points per game. Cam Newton, so far this season, is responsible for 20.25 points per game.

Both players led the SEC in that category.

The difference is the way Cam Newton has taken over games. Tebow had a way of rallying guys and getting every one on the field ready to make plays—he was a team focused guy. Newton is content to put the team on his back and find a way to make it happen—all by himself.

He's been successful at doing so thus far, at least four of the Tigers' wins are a direct result of what Newton has been able to do with his own skills to guide him.

Is Cam Newton better than Tim Tebow was a mere three seasons ago? That point is debatable.

However, there is no doubt that Newton deserves to be sitting front-and-center come Heisman time. His presence is the one certainty that cannot be denied.

What say you?

*Stats appearing in this article are courtesy of ncaa.org and cfbstats.com

College Football: Power RankingThe SEC Quarterbacks After Week Seven

See week six here.

1. Mike Hartline, Kentucky (32/42 for 349 yards, and 4 touchdowns) vs. South Carolina.

Don't look now but, the SEC has a new passing leader, and his name is not Ryan Mallett. 

Mike Hartline took another big step towards legendary status, in Lexington, as he led his team to a big victory over the No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks. The senior has been nothing but steady-handed all season long and that has been the primary reason for the success this team has had through the air.

He's definitely come along way in four seasons and this year is most certainly his best yet.

2010  season stats: 157/230 for 1791 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions.

2. Cam Newton, Auburn (10/14 for 140-yards, and 1 touchdown. 25 carries for 188-yards and 3 touchdowns) vs. Arkansas.

You ever get the feeling that it's just not fair that Cam Newton has been able to be this dominant? People like to compare him to Tim Tebow but, if memory serves, Tebow did most of his damage inside the 20-yard line, on dives, and on designed QB sneaks. Newton is, literally, a runner who happens to have an arm—how on earth do you stop that?

Newton, again, took the game in his own hands as his Auburn Tigers outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks in a 65-43 shoot-out at The Plains.

2010 season stats: 80/122 for 1278 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. 129 carries for 860 yards (net) and 12 touchdowns.  

3. Aaron Murray, Georgia (15/24 for 287 yards and 2 touchdowns) vs. Vanderbilt

Murray left the running game to his running backs this week and just let his arm do the talking—and did it talk. The redshirt freshman continues to show poise and character in the pocket as he settles into this offense and gets to know his receivers.

On Saturday he sent a stern message to all of those who believe he only has eyes for A.J. Green as he made it a point to pass the ball to Georgia's other receivers—particularly Kris Durham, Tavares King, and Aron White—and proved that this team will no longer succumb to being a one-trick pony where the air game is concerned.

Murray continues to, quietly, impress and mature into his role as the Bulldog's quarterback of the future.

2010 season stats: 112/181 for 1,653 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. 51 carries for 158 yards and 4 touchdowns.

4. Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (25/34 for 332 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions) at Auburn.

Give the young man a little credit for keeping the Razorbacks close—for a time—in a game that most wrote off after Ryan Mallett exited with a head-injury. Wilson did his best impression of Mallett, leading the Hogs up and down the field against a porous Auburn pass defense that can thank the, equally, porous Arkansas secondary, as well as the legs of Cam Newton, for their big win.

If Mallett is out for an extended period, there are no guarantees that Wilson can duplicate this performance, but with Greg Childs, Jarius Wright, and Joe Adams on the field to catch his passes, you have to like his chances to remain an able substitute for at least one more week.

2010 season stats: 26/37 for 338 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. 

5. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina (20/32 for 382 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions) at Kentucky.

It was a losing effort, but Garcia looked good for, roughly, 58 minutes, and he nearly brought his team to victory in the closing seconds.  However, Kentucky proved too strong and too determined and the Gamecocks utter elation from defeating No. 1 Alabama the week prior, became utter deflation as they watched their BCS hopes fall yet again.

That said, Garcia has done a fine job this season of not making too many mistakes and keeping his team in the hint, but now the team will be forced to find out how much of their success is due to the presence of Marcus Lattimore's running, rather than the progression of Garcia's skills.

2010 season stats: 93/133 for 1,326 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. 45 carries for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns.

6. Greg McElroy, Alabama (17/25 for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns) vs. Ole Miss.

McElroy didn't have to do too much, despite a still-absent rushing attack, but he managed to do what was needed to secure a win for the Tide—while letting the defense do the dirty work.

2010 season stats: 116/162 for 1,517 yards, 11 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. 

7.  John Brantley, Florida (24/39 for 219 yards, and 1 interception) vs. Mississippi State

Brantley is floundering in this Gator offense and he needs an exit-strategy if this is all this team has planned for him. He's been average all season and, in the Gator's last three losses, he's been as unimpressive as a Florida quarterback can be without being on the bench (56/129 for 566 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions).

That's not going to cut it in Gainesville, folks.

2010 season stats: 129/208 for 1,266 yards, 6 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. 

8. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss (18/40 for 110 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception) at Alabama. 

Masoli tried his best to find room to run against Alabama's defense, but he found no success. Once he was shut down, there went the Rebel offense as well.

2010 season stats: 75/134 for 933 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. 60 carries for 302 yards and 3 touchdowns. 

9. Jarrett Lee, LSU (9/16 for 75 yards) vs. McNeese State. 

LSU is desperate for good quarterback play and, for a moment, it seemed Lee was the answer they were looking for. Well, the chariot has returned to its pumpkin status and the Tigers are back to looking for a better alternative—unfortunately for them, there isn't one.

How much luck do you think Les Miles has in his headset because he's going to need it this weekend.

2010 season stats: 36/50 for 405 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. 

10. Chris Relf, Mississippi State (4/9 for 33 yards. 22 carries for 82 yards and 1 touchdown) at 
Florida. 

If someone had told you, at the start of the season, that Chris Relf would be the quarterback of a team  ranked ahead of both Georgia and Florida, would you have believed it?

2010 season stats: 55/95 for 708 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. 87 carries for 377 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

11. Larry Smith, Vanderbilt (5/14 for 70 yards and 1 interception) at Georgia.  

Larry Smith didn't stand a chance against a Georgia defense that was playing for pride as much as they were a win. The junior found few passing lanes, no running lanes, and no points for his Commodores.

2010 season stats: 72/133 for 863 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. 51 carries for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns.

College Football Debate: To Pay or Not To Pay—Should There Be A Question?

By now, most everyone has either read or heard about the interview that, Josh Luchs gave to Sports Illustrated regarding his time as a sports agent. It's an interesting read, chocked full of all types of tidbits that make you raise an eyebrow at just how seedy the world of college athletics can truly be— when no one is watching.

However, after finishing the article, only one question can possibly come to mind: Should the NCAA allow amateur athletes to be paid or not?

The question is simple enough, but the answer is more complicated than any could possibly imagine because there is no black and white response to a query that has so many shades of gray. Of course the hard-line response would be to say that athletes are paid already—via their cushy $100,000 plus scholarship.

While the majority of college graduates will exit with a mountain of debt, most athletes will exit not only debt free, but with a degree that will be worth something in the job market, and a level of recognition that, depending on where they live, will grant them an opportunity to find a career that pays well.

Think about the sheer number of former athletes who find their way into the broadcast booth, onto the radio, and linked to lucrative business offers just for the use of their name and image—mostly because they played football or basketball.

There are benefits to being a successful collegiate athlete—even if you aren't an all-conference player who manages to garner a pro contract.

That said, the NCAA, and the institutions that these athletes serve, are also getting paid. The A.J. Green incident shed new light on the fact that a college athlete is powerless to what they can do for monetary gain. He sold his jersey for $1,000 and, while he was wrong for doing so, the NCAA sells a replica of his jersey for—at minimum—$50.00.

Look around Sanford Stadium and count the number of No. 8 jerseys—how many do you see? Is it more than a $1,000 worth—does Green get a cut of that? Did Reggie Bush reap the benefits of his No. 5? I bet Tim Tebow could have paid for a lot of circumcisions with his No. 15—just putting that out there.

Furthermore, look at the video game industry, they've struck gold with NCAA football series—the recently released NCAA 11' football sales increased 8% over the previous version. Keeping that in mind, it has to sting a little when a popular college football player sees their jersey number, but not their name, featured amongst the 100-plus schools the game promotes—knowing that most fans will know exactly who they are on said game.

And then there's the issue with players accepting monies, gifts, or favors. If they do so, there are steep consequences attached. Yet, the NCAA expects them to get by only on what they are allowed to have under the guidelines: tuition, books, meals, and on-campus housing are covered. However, there are no stipends given to cover other non-academic expenses: clothing, entertainment, etc.

Many of these athletes are poor and don't have the means to do anything.

Sure, the NCAA allows them to work but, let's be honest, what student-athlete has the time to fit a job into their daily commitments? Between practice, training, classes, tutoring-sessions, and study time, there isn't enough time in the day to hold down a job?

So, that leaves the athlete to depend on his/her family for any extra expenses and most cannot afford to do so.

That said, there will be some athletes who will take advantage of their popularity by accepting money and gifts from an agent, a booster, or an overzealous fan. Is that the right thing to do? No, but, despite what the NCAA has to say about why student-athletes aren't paid, there is a need for further discussion on how to best address these matters.

The debate is one that has so many angles that it's difficult to tackle them all, but it's anything but black and white—it always has been.

What say you?

Has The Red River Rivalry Lost Its Luster?—The Lady's Friday Links (10/1)

There isn't going to be a match-up between Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford (there barely was one to speak of last season). The days of Adrian Peterson and Ricky Williams have gone to the wayside. Vince Young ran his way into the record books and out of Austin, what seems like, an eon ago. What you have left are two teams with marginal stars and questionable marketing appeal—unless you live in Norman or Austin. So, it seems valid to ask the question: Is the 2010 version of the Red River Rivalry really all that big of a deal?

Appalachian State University is thinking about leaving the FCS for the FBS ranks. Apparently, after beating Michigan a few years back, and running all over the teams in their own league, they feel pretty good about their chances of being successful. Good for them. That said, the last legitimate FBS team they faced was LSU in 2008—that didn't exactly go well (41-13).

Trey Burton had one very big game against the Kentucky Wildcats and, already, people are comparing him to No. 15 (former Gator QB, Tim Tebow). Easy media hounds, this kid hasn't proven anything yet—except that he can run it in against a mediocre SEC defense. Give him some time to do something bigger before you go raising that pedestal to unreachable heights.

The Big Ten is done expanding...unless Notre Dame comes calling, then they might be open to changing that stance.

That move that Boise State made to become a part of the Mountain West is looking more and more like a moot point. Utah already exited to the Pac-10, BYU is looking for it's indepence, and now TCU is considering jumping to the Big East—hmmm, seems to me, Boise should have just stayed where it was—the Mountain West is looking more and more like the WAC to me.

Ole Miss will play South Alabama in 2017...wow, talk about your compelling match-ups.  Of course, the way Ole Miss is trending, SOuth Alabama could actually be the better team by that time—just saying.

At 4-0 now, some national media are starting to jump on the NC State bandwagon. That likely means they will now fold like a house of cards and become irrelevant by Monday—starting with a loss to
Virginia Tech on Saturday. Hope not, but, this is certainly not a good sign.

Is it time to place a cap on bowl invitations?

Are the Florida Gators bait for or baiting the Alabama Crimson Tide this week?

Coach Mark Richt has ties to Colorado.

Cool video of the week:

This is a little outside of the sports realm, but, my brother is trying his hand at film making. The video below is the third in a web series he created, along with a buddy, called "The Idea Men". Give it a look, and, if you like what you see, check out the first two eps at their YouTube site—BasementBoysPictures

Okay, that's my shameless plug for the week :)

College Football: Power Ranking The SEC Quarterbacks After Week Two

After week two, the magnifying glass has a broader view of who's doing big things for his team and who, likely, benefited from a soft opponent in week one.

You can find the week one quarterback power rankings here.

1. Ryan Mallett, Arkansas (28/43 for 400 yards, 3 TD's, and 1 INT) at Louisiana-Monroe

Ryan Mallett still hasn't faced any true competition yet, but that doesn't make his arm or that Arkansas offense any less impressive. It took the Hogs two quarters to find their groove, but by the time the third-quarter ended in Louisiana, it was clear who had the best team.

2010 Season Total: 49/67 for 701 yards, 6 TD's, and 2 INT's

2. Greg McElroy, Alabama (16/24 for 229 yards and 2 TD's) vs. Penn State

McElroy had the distinction of being the quarterback who often lost his focus in the big games. If nothing else, the win over Penn State, in Tuscaloosa, proved that McElroy has truly come into his own as the leader of his team. His poise and confidence in the pocket have been a steadying influence on a team that is currently playing without two of its best players—Marcel Dareus and Mark Ingram.

2010 Season Total: 29/40 for 447 yards and 3 TD's

3. Mike Hartline, Kentucky (16/20 for 213 yards and 3 TD's) vs Western Kentucky

Whatever Joker Phillips is selling in Lexington, the Wildcats are buying it, and Mike Hartline is carrying it out on the field. The senior is a markedly better passer and seems much more comfortable leading this Kentucky offense this season than the last.

2010 Season Total: 33/46 for 430 yards and 3 TD's

4. Cameron Newton, Auburn (11/19 for 136 yards, 2 TD's, and 1 INT—18 carries for 70 yards) at Mississippi State

It wasn't as dynamic a performance as exhibited in week one, but, in Auburn's first SEC road game, against a rowdy home crowd, Newton led the Tigers to a key conference victory.

2010 Season Total: 20/33 for 322 yards, 5 TD's, and 1 INT—33 carries for 241 yards and 2 TD's

5. Stephen Garcia, South Carolina (12/17 for 165 yards and 0 TD's) vs. Georgia

Garcia's stats don't jump off the page but, watching him play, you get the sense that he may finally be coming into his own as a leader. The Gamecocks have found their running game in Marcus Lattimore, and Garcia is content to make the big plays when called upon. So far, he's been stellar on third downs, and he hasn't made the mistakes that cost his team in key situations last year. If he can continue on the right path, the Gamecocks will definitely be in Atlanta come December.

2010 Season Total: 28/40 for 358 yards and 0 TD's 

6. Aaron Murray, Georgia (14/21 for 192 yards and 0 TD's) at South Carolina

The scoreboard is what everyone pointed to at the end of the game, but that doesn't change the fact that the Georgia Bulldogs have found a player Aaron Murray. The redshirt freshman, in his first road game, showed veteran poise in the pocket, and made some timely throws on key downs. Despite the final outcome, the young gun kept Georgia in it til the end against a highly-motivated talented South Carolina team—that's saying a lot.

2010 Season Total: 31/47 for 352 yards, 3 TD's, and 1 INT

7. John Brantley, Florida (18/31 for 172 yards and 3 TD's) vs South Florida

The problem with John Brantley is he's not Tim Tebow—let's just put that out there. He's got a decent arm and a lot of potential (once he gets going), but he's been vanilla to this point in two blowout wins against subpar opponents. He's going to need to do a lot more if he expects to get by in the SEC.

2010 Season Total: 35/56 for 285 yards and 4 TD's

8. Jeremiah Masoli, Ole Miss (14/20 for 281 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT) at Tulane

Masoli hasn't bombed in his two appearances at quarterback this season, but the Rebels certainly haven't been the team they thought they would when they acquired him. He's done a decent job of transitioning into the offense so far and, considering the lackluster play of Nathan Stanley, it won't be long before it's the Masoli show in Oxford.

2010 Season Total: 21/30 for 390 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INT's

9. Jordan Jefferson, LSU (8/20 for 96 yards, 0 TD's, and 1 INT) at Vanderbilt 

The Tigers seem to win football games in spite of Jordan Jefferson, not because of him, and that's not a good thing. In week one, Patrick Peterson bailed him out and, in week two, it was running back Stephen Ridley. One would have to think his luck will run out soon and, when it does, he will only have himself to blame.

2010 Season Total: 23/41 for 247 yards, 2 TD's, and 2 INT's

10. Chris Reif, Mississippi State (12/26 for 110 yards and 0 TD's) vs. Auburn

Reif still isn't going to floor you with his passing prowess, but he did play fairly well against Auburn—his mobility likely kept the Bulldogs in the game. He isn't markedly better than 2009, but until Tyler Russell has his first go-round in SEC play, Reif is likely the better option.

2010 Season Total: 19/35 for 226 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT

11. Matt Simms, Tennessee (15/29 for 151 yards, 0 TD's, and 1 INT) vs Oregon

Give Simms a little more time and he will be a decent quarterback for the Vols but, right now, you get the feeling that the passing game isn't ready for the better defenses of the world. In time, as the receivers mature, and Simms gets more comfortable, that could change.

2010 Season Total: 29/53 for 332 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT

12. Larry Smith, Vanderbilt (8/15 for 70 yards, 0 TD's, and 0 INT's) vs LSU

Smith is what he is and that may never change. He struggled mightily against a much better defensive front and, despite the efforts of Vanderbilt running back, Warren Norman, the Commodores simply could not do much offensively to match the Tigers.

2010 Season Total: 27/48 for 310 yards, 1 TD, and 1 INT

Dennis Dodd Says Georgia Bulldogs Aren't Even Third Best Team in Weak SEC

Here we go again. For those of you who detest articles written with a tinge of homerism—this one may not be for you.

However, in the interest of being fair, I would like to see some comments below if you find my analysis to be off the mark or leaning too heavily towards blind loyalty.

That said, I felt compelled to write this article after reading a piece featured on College Football News (CFN) titled "State of the Game".

It's focus was on this question: Will you be okay if the SEC Champ isn't in the BCS Championship—assuming said winner has only one loss—even if either the Big Ten or the Big XII each bring an unbeaten team to the table.

Several members of the local and national media chimed in with their response, including CBSSports.com senior writer, Dennis Dodd.
In his response, Dodd had this to say:

Weeeell, that's a bit superficial don't you think? Start with the fact that beyond Ala and Fla, the SEC isn't particularly strong this year. What is the third-best team -- Arkansas?, LSU?, South Carolina? (Please don't give me Georgia). In your scenario, then, (a loss to Florida), the only team you're talking about is Alabama. If the strength of schedules are relatively even, then, yes I'm OK with the SEC champion not playing in the BCS title game. You're talking about an undefeated Ohio State, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas. I have no problem with that 1) because the SEC is down; 2) the Big Ten is making a comeback; 3) Texas and Oklahoma are loaded in a tough conference and 4) don't forget Boise in that mix. It's going to start in the top five. Voters will by hypocritical if they drop the Broncos after winning all their games.

Now, while I understand and appreciate that Mr. Dodd is entitled to his opinion, I have a bone to pick with just about everything he has to say in his response—obviously.

"...Start with the fact that beyond Ala and Fla, the SEC isn't particularly strong this year. What is the third-best team -- Arkansas?, LSU?, South Carolina? (Please don't give me Georgia)."

First of all, the SEC isn't so much weak this year as it appears to have more parity. It's probably the first time in more than a few seasons that you couldn't clearly state who the champion of the east and west divisions would be.
 
The departure of Tim Tebow has left Florida looking a lot more vulnerable than in season's past and the questions about the Alabama defense, coupled with close losses to both Tennessee and Auburn last season, make the Tide look ripe for an upset on their drive back to Atlanta this year.

Parity is a good thing, Dennis.

Secondly, what's with the "Please don't give me Georgia" comment? Mark Richt might be the owner of a program that finished 8-5 in 2009, but he is certainly not an SEC afterthought. He's posted a winning record against every team in the conference since his arrival, save Florida (2-7) and LSU (3-3) and that means he's worthy of a lot more respect than he's gotten from guys like you over the last eight months.

"...If the strength of schedules are relatively even, then, yes I'm OK with the SEC champion not playing in the BCS title game."

I admit I'm an SEC loyalist, but there is little doubt that the SEC is the toughest conference in the nation. There is no such thing, at least not at present, of a "relatively even" strength of schedule when compared to the SEC's.

Get real, Dennis.

"...You're talking about an undefeated Ohio State, Iowa, Oklahoma, Texas. I have no problem with that 1) because the SEC is down; 2) the Big Ten is making a comeback; 3) Texas and Oklahoma are loaded in a tough conference..."

While I have no problem seeing Iowa or Ohio State make a BCS appearance—despite the fact that Ohio State has had their backsides handed to them twice by an SEC team, it's idiotic to say that Texas and Oklahoma are playing in a tough conference. Aside from said teams, who on earth offers them any legit competition in the Big XII? Baylor? Kansas? Kansas State?...Oklahoma State (minus Robinson, Bryant, and Cox)?, Colorado?...You're joking right?

I guess Dennis has to say the Big XII is tough (after all, he is a Mizzou alum), but everyone else knows that after Oklahoma and Texas, there is only Nebraska—and once they leave...well, you fill in the blanks.

"...and 4) don't forget Boise in that mix. It's going to start in the top five. Voters will by hypocritical if they drop the Broncos after winning all their games."

LOL...wait, let me get this straight: Boise plays in the WAC...THE WAC. There is literally no excuse for them not to run all over and through their conference with ease. The WAC is not a competitive place for the Broncos to play—everyone knows that.

Additionally, Boise's OOC schedule tends to be equally as laughable and, aside from their early season match-up with Virginia Tech in September, it offers nothing in the way of competition this year either. That said, people should take them seriously if they go undefeated in 2010, why?

I know they can only play the games they are scheduled to play but, the fact remains, they have the easiest road to the BCS Title Game—hands down. So, if they finish undefeated while a Big Ten or SEC team suffers one loss, I'm giving the edge to the SEC or Big Ten team and so would most every other voter.  

If Boise wants legitimacy, a win over Virginia Tech will be necessary. If they lose, they SHOULD go to the back of the line—period.

The whole CFN article can be found here, if you're interested.

Washaun Ealey Named to Maxwell Award Watch List for 2010

Washaun Ealey is getting a little bit of recognition. He has been placed on the watch list for the 2010 Maxwell Award. He is one of two Georgia Bulldog players named to the list for this coming season—A.J. Green is the other.

The Maxwell Award has been given yearly, since 1937, to the most outstanding collegiate football player in America. It is a highly distinguished award and it has only been won by a Georgia Bulldog player once—Herschel Walker in 1982.

Many feel that Washaun Ealey could break out this season after finishing 2009 strong. The true sophomore tallied 525-yards and 3 touchdowns in his final five games of the season—including a 183-yard effort against Georgia Tech.

Ealey didn't play in the first four games of the season, making his first appearance of the year against LSU in week five. After a slow start, he started to find his groove, and made a strong case for coming into 2010 with a fighting chance at going above a 1,000 yards rushing.

Also on the list is A.J. Green. Green is a junior and this is expected, by some, to possibly be his last season at Georgia. It is felt that the air game may be a little less focused upon at the start, considering the Bulldogs will be leaning on the arm of redshirt freshman, Aaron Murray, but rest assured Green will get his looks.

The wide receiver out of South Carolina has been a standout receiver since he arrived on campus in 2008—hauling in 56 catches for 963 yards (17.2 ypc). His numbers suffered a bit last year due to a lingering injury, but he still managed 808 yards and 6 touchdowns despite missing three games and a significant portion of another (vs. Auburn).

Both players will play an important role in Georgia's offense this year as Green will be the veteran presence in the receiving corps and Ealey will be one of the primary ball carriers. It's quite an honor for both players and further proof that the talent pool at Georgia is alive and well.

Colt McCoy won the award in 2009 and Tim Tebow won it in both 2007 and 2008.

Urban Meyer Looks To Curb The ebay Trolls—Good Luck

Urban Meyer decided to lay the smack down on those who might be seeking to get rich off the current popularity of his Florida Gators football team.

The prickly coach recently announced that practices would be closed to the fans this summer so that his players could concentrate on football and not have to deal with the pesky autograph hounds who intend to sell their wares on ebay.

Said Urban, "...you walk across and people just maul you and bother you and Internet people grabbing helmets, 'Sign this,' and we don't have security saying, 'Get the heck out of here.' You'll see a lot more 'get the heck out of here' from now on and let the kids go practice and concentrate on football." (ESPN, 8/8/2010).

"Internet people"?...that's a lovely choice of words, Urban—is that like some weird cult or something? It sure sounds scary...should we all be on the lookout for this treacherous group of people or what? Just want to know if I should hide the kids.

Anyway, I guess he's grown a little tired of all the extra attention that comes from putting his players on display. A curious thought when you consider he pimped the heck out of his last star player (ahem, Tim Tebow, cough, cough—promise speech) and his own little Brett Favre moment when he both retired and unretired within a span of 48-hours.

He turned that unnecessary spectacle into one heckuva recruiting haul for 2010.

In all seriousness, though, I can understand Urban's problem with the "Internet people" who are looking to make a quick buck off a hot signature but, the player doesn't have to sign the item—does he? I mean, surely the Gators can afford to hire some security to keep the blood hounds at bay, right?... Just a question.

Urban isn't breaking the mold by closing practices. Many coaches decide to shut out the media and the casual viewer and no one makes a big fuss about it, so, why did he have to come out and make a big spectacle of himself by throwing all those adjectives around?

It sounds to me like he just bought another ticket to drama-ville by calling out the ebay trolls and "Internet people". Good luck keeping them at bay now, Urban, you just made the value of those autographs go up by making them so much harder to get—tsk...tsk...tsk.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Urban Meyer Has Had It With "Internet People," "Scumbags," and Crowds [Urban Meyer Vs Internet People] (deadspin.com)

It Seems Like Everyone, Except The Denver Broncos, Has Signed Tim Tebow

I'm perplexed. No, really, I am.

The Denver Broncos, their fans, and players have done nothing but glow about Tim Tebow. As a matter of fact, the team has been absolutely over-the-moon about their 2010 NFL Draft selection—the guy they traded away three draft picks to be able to move up and snag him at No. 25.

Coach Josh McDaniels has been overwhelmingly optimistic about what Tebow will add to the Bronco's offense and, quite frankly, despite the fact that Tebow has never played a down of pro football, you have to get the sense that as a first-round selection, he will not be warming the bench in Denver for long.

He'll play this season. Bet on it. He will find his way onto the field in 2010 and, if he performs well, say goodbye to Kyle Orton in 2011. They love Tebow that much in Denver—even former quarterback, John Elway, has spoken of how impressed  he is with the demeanor of the ex-Florida quarterback.

Nike gave him his own shoe—decked in the orange and blue he so adored as a Gator. EA Sports made him the cover athlete for their 2011 NCAA Football game. Even the underwear giant, Jockey, signed him to a lucrative sponsorship deal to model their signature undergarments.

I say all of that, to say this, why haven't the Denver Broncos signed their prized player yet? Everyone else has, what on earth could be their hold up?

Could it be that the Broncos don't want to end up overpaying him based on his obvious popularity?

I mean, Tebow may become one of the NFL's most recognizable faces but, the truth of the matter is, he likely never should have been selected in the first-round. His selection at 25 was surprising to the many analysts and experts who thought he was better served as a late-second or early-third round player.
Their critique of him was not based on his personality but on his overall potential as a quarterback in the league.

He may prove many wrong by the time it's all said and done, but, what he's entitled to is a contract that guarantees him $8 million—nothing more. Will his handlers try and angle for more?

Tebow has already made it clear that he does not wish to hold out and the Denver Broncos are set to start camp tomorrow—you do the math. By all accounts, this should be a done deal by Wednesday. If it's not, I would be greatly surprised.

However, if for some reason he isn't able to get there by then, he could always kill some time by doing another autograph session. I hear those have been pretty popular for him.

The SEC East Could Crown A New Champ in 2010—Will It Be Georgia?

"In the SEC, Florida will also go through a transition period as Tim Tebow can no longer be the savior. A number of other seniors from last year have moved on up as well. LSU should be ready for a rebound, but maybe not a BCS-type rebound while sportsbook odds makers probably won’t consider Georgia much of a BCS threat unless a quarterback quickly emerges." (FootballGamblingFreaks.com, 6/23/10). 


I read this statement and nearly laughed out loud as it's comical to me how much goodwill a national title grants you. Aaron Murray's inexperience aside, neither Florida nor LSU have a bonafide answer at quarterback in 2010.

John Brantley hasn't proven himself in an SEC contest—yet. The appearances he can tout to the Florida faithful amount to "garbage-time" blow-outs left for his pleasure by Tim Tebow. Not to mention, Florida lost more than half its offense to the NFL. Bye-bye Aaron Hernandez. Sayonara, Riley Cooper—so sad to see you go.

Furthermore, it matters little how phenomenal that 2010 signing class was, defensively, those guys haven't done a thing yet. Add to that, the man behind the plan—Charlie Strong—changed zip codes. If you don't think that matters—you are nuts.

So, when people just hand the SEC East over to the Gators simply because Urban Meyer is their coach and they've won it before, I find myself pausing a bit for station identification because—seriously—even Florida is bound to come back to earth a bit this season and that could mean a shift in the powers that be.

As for LSU, Jarret Lee and Jordan Jefferson combined make up one-half of a decent quarterback for the Tigers. LSU may have beaten Georgia last season but they too have lost a very significant chunk of their offensive production—including every significant carry in their running back corp.

In the West this year, it will be all about AAA—Alabama, Auburn, and Arkansas—LSU will not rebound nearly as well as most believe and that will have a lot to do with the lack of a running game to offset their schizophrenic production at quarterback.

In the East, South Carolina is a feared commodity but, honestly, until I see Steve Spurrier giving more love to his quarterback, no team in the conference should be skeered' of what he's bringing to the field. He's been shaky for the better part of his career and this offseason is showing that those shaky ways are far from over. I can't wait to see how he handles the expectations that have been placed on him this season—something that, prior to now, he hasn't truly had to deal with.

Either way, no matter what South Carolina does against Georgia, they will not win the East—there I said it. They have never won the SEC, have never had an opportunity to try, and without a running game they are no closer to doing either than the were ten-years ago.

South Carolina is cocky—not good. They are a .500 team wanting to be better and that will remain the case no matter what happens in Columbia this season.

Which brings me back to the original reason for this diatribe, this is a new season and there isn't a team in the SEC East that can boast enough experience at every spot to say they can or will win the division. 2010 is a crapshoot—despite what Dennis Dodd has to say.

Georgia may not have a proven quarterback when the first whistle blows but here's my no-holds take on the teams in the East who supposedly will:

John Brantley: He'll have time behind that line but who is he going to throw it to...no, really...who? There's not a receiver returning who will have any significant history of making an impact. Plus, other than Tebow, have the Gators really tried establishing a run-game? This IS the SEC, right? At some point, that cute little spread Urban runs will need some tweaking.

Stephen Garcia: Georgia helped make him relevant in 2009 but he's not done enough to warrant  much respect. After all, he's barely important to his own team so why should anyone else in the East care? Just saying...

Larry Smith: He and Warren Norman will be about as relevant as Rafael Belliard was for the Atlanta Braves—pity.

Matt Simms: Unless Tennessee is going to do something about their lack of an offensive line, running game, or defensive playmaker, no one will be worried about Simms leading the Vols anywhere—particularly not to another big win over Georgia in Sanford Stadium.

Kentucky: I intentionally failed to name their quarterback because, no matter who it is, he'll be irrelevant. Georgia did what no other SEC team could last season—make Morgan Newton look good. That lightning won't strike twice—trust me.

If Georgia plays even a modicum better in the secondary this season, they have a better than average shot of winning the East—not competing for it—winning. That's a fact.

So, all the disrespect they have gotten based on the nightmare defensive woes of last season need to go precisely where they make the most sense—the trash can—because this is a new team with a new plan. It's time people start to recognize that point and give Mark Richt and company something that only Phil Steele seems to want to—r-e-s-p-e-c-t.

73 days and counting, Dawg fans, are you ready to sic' em yet?

Mark Bradley Is Making People Angry Again—Why, Mark, Why?

Mark Bradley, one of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution's most trusted writers, has once again laid forth another brilliant article. As usual, it's not flattering of the Georgia Bulldogs and I don't know that I can agree with 50 percent of what he has to say regarding them or any of the other teams he dares to mention. 

Here are some of it's moset head-scratching assertions and, of course, my vain attempt to rip them to shreds:

Georgia will go 9-3 but will finish third in the SEC East. Todd Grantham represents an upgrade. Given time, Aaron Murray will represent an upgrade. Thing is, the Bulldogs’ second game is in Columbia, and that seems a bridge too far. (More precisely, a bridge too soon.) The guess is that Georgia will be rolling come November, but that Sept. 11 loss — and one the next week against Arkansas in Athens — will keep the Bulldogs from a true breakthrough.

Losses to both Arkansas and South Carolina? Under coach Richt, Georgia is 12-2 against Arkansas and South Carolina combined. Explain how they will lose to a South Carolina team that 1) has no idea who it will play at quarterback and 2) hasn't had a viable running game since....well, since...I can't even remember. I can agree that the game will be close, that's the way this game has been played since coach Richt's arrival in  2001 but, Columbia or not, I cannot see the Gamecocks just outright beating Georgia.

As for Arkansas, last time I checked, Ryan Mallett was gimpy and the matchup against Georgia will be his first true test of the season (no disrespect to Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe, but, seriously?). He was 0-4 on the road against the SEC last season—is he going to be monumentally better than that in 2010? And what will the defense be like? There are some holes to fill in their secondary and there is no guarantee that the new offensive coordinator will be as good under Garrick McGee as it was under the, now departed, Paul Petrino.

My guess is this, if Georgia loses to either Arkansas or South Carolina, it won't be a huge surprise but, no way in heck they lose to both—that I don't see.

Even more, if they go 9-3 and South Carolina goes 9-3, what game is the tie-breaker? If Georgia beats Florida, wouldn't Georgia win the East? After all, according to Mark's article:

Florida will go 11-1 because of a remarkably kind schedule. The Gators play four road games: Two against teams (Tennessee and Florida State) with new coaches and one against Vanderbilt. The Gators will lose in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 2, but they’ll see Alabama again.

There is a lot of love for Florida, as usual, despite the loss of 1) Tim Tebow, 2) Charlie Strong, 3) six offensive starters, and 4) six defensive starters (including both defensive ends).  Florida may return one of the stronger offensive lines in the country, but, what difference will that make if they can't stop anybody? Even more, John Brantley may be the man that everyone says he is, but he hasn't been tested on the road or in the SEC, so, how about a little more realism?

Florida has scheduled it's buffet of cupcakes, as per normal, but the SEC is still a tough place to play and without Tebow, no one is all that scared of Florida anymore.

Tim Tebow will win the Heisman Trophy. Whoops. Force of habit. Case Keenum — Houston QB — will win the Heisman Trophy.

Case Keenum is an outstanding quarterback but his team plays a cupcake schedule in a non-BCS conference. I don't care what he does this season, he won't win the Heisman.

The ACC Coastal will be the nation’s toughest division. There’s not a great team therein, but there are four good ones. Miami will be the disappointment. North Carolina will be the surprise. Virginia Tech will win the division. And Georgia Tech …

It will be the toughest division yet it doesn't have "a great team therein..."? That just seems foolish to say. Aside from that, the most balanced team in that division is Virginia Tech. Miami needs to find a running game, North Carolina needs a passing game, and Georgia Tech just lost their 2nd best offensive weapon to the NFL. I don't see the ACC Coastal being the toughest division, that distinction could belong to the Pac-10 this season.

Georgia will beat Georgia Tech. A.J. Green will catch the winning touchdown pass from Murray with 41 seconds remaining. The score will be 27-24. Paul Johnson will suppress the urge to punch somebody in the face.

Georgia will, essentially, have the same offensive personnel and will be playing this game at Sanford. If its close enough that Georgia will need game-winning heroics from A.J., then I'm setting my "SEC homer" card on fire. Georgia will have a week to prepare for this game and I more than expect the 3-4 to be in full swing by this time. I don't see it being close at all—Tech won't get to 24 points. Yes, I said it.

Well, I could pick on Mark some more, but, it's not necessary. Go read the article and have at it yourself.

Back later today with a little more.

Georgia Safety Nick Williams Is Ready To Terrorize SEC Offenses

Nick Williams is a talented, aggressive, and physical safety for the Georgia Bulldogs. However, before being named the starting safety on the 2010 post-spring depth chart, he was not remembered as such. Why? Because he has spent the better part of his career vacillating between safety and linebacker—mostly playing the latter.

Williams appeared in 12 games for Georgia last season—all at linebacker—and recorded nine tackles. He performed decently, but he never excelled at the position and he often seemed out of place playing there. However, he continued to bulk up and put forth his best effort every game.

Enter a new defensive scheme and a new defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham, and there would be no more linebacker for Nick Williams. He was going to return to the place he calls “home”—safety.

It proved to be a good move all around as Williams has the obvious size, speed, and skill-set suited for playing the safety position.

The switch is something that Williams has repeatedly expressed his pleasure in, and his excitement has translated into some exceptional play during spring practices.

What exactly has he brought to the Georgia secondary?

For one, the size that worked against him as a potential linebacker, is now an advantage for him at safety. He stood 6’2” and weighed a solid 220 pounds at the end of spring.

He hopes to slim down a bit more but his size and speed, coupled with his aggressive approach to playing the game, should make for some highlight reel hits in 2010 if he continues to develop as well as he has thus far.

Second, he’s got plenty of motivation to grow and do even better once fall practice starts because he’s likely to share time with Jakar Hamilton—the highly touted JUCO transfer who many feel will eventually become a star in his own right—and that makes him well-aware of the fact that he is only as good as his last performance; there is no loyalty.

So, his goal has been to play hard, learn the playbook, and enjoy the fact that he’s finally feeling comfortable on the football field again. He’s enjoying the freedom that the 3-4 has given him on the field and likes the idea that he can play a hard-hitting, assertive, brand of play on the field.

That said, some might wonder if Williams’ play might be a little too bold. Can he learn to play both aggressive and smart? After all, it was only last season that he grabbed negative headlines after being accused of a late hit on former Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow.

Williams defended the play but some who saw it felt that it was over the top and a bit dirty.

If the above point seems irrelevant given the overall tone and intensity of the Georgia-Florida game, then we need only look to the recent events of the 2010 G-Day game.

For those who don’t know or remember: after making a tackle on running back, Washaun Ealey, Williams held Ealey down. Ealey responded by taking a swing at Williams—Williams responded in turn and a skirmish broke out between the two late in the game. It ended with Williams being reprimanded by coach Grantham and  he was subsequently benched.

Most fans pointed the finger at Ealey, saying he was out of line, and I agree with that assessment. However, given the Georgia Bulldogs' issues with penalties last season, situations like this are cause for concern.

Does anyone care who’s at fault if the result is a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct?  Especially if it comes during a crucial moment in a close SEC contest?

As much talent and potential as Williams has for being a breakout player this season, he will need to learn to maintain his composure on the field. If he can do that, the sky is clearly the limit as he still has untapped potential that has yet to be realized.